Modular Frames for Jewelry

ABSTRACT

Modular jewelry frames that provide a setting for ornamental items such as gems and crystals are presented. Some contemplated jewelry frames comprise at least one saddle that is configured to releasably couple with at least one strut. Jewelry boxes comprising conductive material and configured to provide a Faraday shield around their content are also provided.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/559,576, filed on Nov. 14, 2011. This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is jewelry technologies.

BACKGROUND

Jewelry (e.g., rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, armbands, anklets, etc.) and other accessories often comprise a frame and/or a base that can hold various ornamental items including gems, crystals, stones, pendants, or other items. Such ornamental items can be bound to a frame, a base, or a frame and a base. In many known scenarios the ornamental item is at least semi-permanently coupled to at least one of a frame and a base; a ring setting or broach for example. However, the extent to which jewelry, ornamental items and bases can be modular and versatile has yet to be appreciated.

Others have put forth effort toward modular jewelry. For example, French patent application publication number FR 2618311 to Fullin teaches a modular earring frame having two elements with triangular profiles. United Kingdom patent number GB 2463977, United Kingdom patent application number GB2466724 and U.S. Patent Application Publication number 2010/0083702 to Joseph each disclose certain modular jewelry assemblies.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,489 to Strong teaches jewelry that can be arranged in various configurations as earrings, a pendant, bracelet, necklace, belt, or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,815 to Degonda teaches a modular jewelry item such as a ring wherein a central portion is attachable and detachable from a hollow portion having an opening. International patent application publication number WO 2010/138995 to Zander teaches a jewelry item having an insert that can be removably sandwiched between a main body and a cover.

Unfortunately, although the above cited art discuss various aspects of modular jewelry, they each apparently fail to provide a desired level of modularity for various types of ornamental items. Thus, there is still a need for improved modular jewelry frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a modular jewelry frame provides a setting for a gem having at least one vertex and one edge. The frame can include at least one vertex saddle configured to receive a vertex of the gem. The frame further comprises at least one edge strut that can releasably couple with the saddle via a mechanical coupler where the edge strut covers at least a portion of the gem's edge. In some embodiments, the frame can include multiple saddles and struts to hold a tetrahedral crystal, or other geometries of any suitable gems (e.g., trihedral, icosahedron, cube, rectangular cube, sphere, egg, etc.). Further, the modular frame can mate with a pendant base or other frames.

In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a jewelry box comprises a lid and a bottom, each one covered in at least one conductive material (e.g., copper, silver, wire mesh, etc.). The lid, when substantially or completely closed, can electrically couple to the bottom to form a faraday shield around an item housed in the box (e.g., inside a cavity formed by a closed lid and bottom).

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of jewelry of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 1B is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a base of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the base of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of one embodiment having struts coupled with vertex saddles.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a strut of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 4B is another perspective view of the strut of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vertex saddle of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 5B is another perspective view of the vertex saddle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of four frames of the inventive subject matter coupled together.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of eight frames of the inventive subject matter coupled together.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a jewelry box of the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

One should appreciate that the disclosed techniques provide modular frames for an ornament (e.g., a crystal, gem, stone, etc.) where the frames can couple with at least one of a base and one or more frames to form complex, ornamental geometries.

FIGS. 1A and 1B provide two views of a jewelry piece 100 having a modular frame 110. The modular frame 110 comprises vertex saddles (e.g., 130) and edge struts (e.g., 140). The frame 110 holds a crystal 120 (e.g., a tetrahedral gem, etc.), or other ornament, where each vertex saddle 130 is configured to receive a vertex of the crystal 120. The edge struts (e.g., 140) mechanically couple with the vertex saddles (e.g., 130) thus forming the complete frame 110. In some embodiments, the frame couples with one or more settings, or a pendant base 150 as illustrated. The base 150 can include a strap acceptor 160 (e.g., a pass through-hole along any portion or portions of the base, etc.), which allows a user to place the base on a necklace, ring, bracelet, or other tether.

The term “gem” should be construed to mean any commercially suitable ornamental item, including for example, a gem, crystal, and a stone. In one embodiment the gem comprises a regularly shaped crystalline polyhedron (e.g., tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, etc.).

FIGS. 2A and 2B present a possible embodiment for a base configured to releasably couple with a modular frame. Base 250 is configured to releasable couple with edge struts of a frame via one or more mechanical couplers (e.g., 260, 261, 262) along a portion of the base surface. This portion can be at least one of any portion of an outer surface 270 and any portion of an interior surface 271. In some embodiments, the base can be a solid piece of material only having an outer surface.

In some embodiments, a coupler can comprise one part of a two part coupling mechanism. For example, one mechanical coupler can comprise an indentation, and another mechanical coupler can comprise a protrusion. The protrusion can be configured to fit with an indentation via a suitable fit, such as a friction fit, press fit, friction fit, or a snap fit. Moreover, it is contemplated that a coupler can comprise one part of a three part or other multiple coupling mechanism wherein one coupler is configured to fit with at least two other couplers. Each coupler can be located along any portion of a frame (e.g., saddle, strut) or base, including for example, an outer surface of a saddle, strut or base, an interior surface (if any) of a saddle, strut or base, an upper surface of a saddle, strut or base, a lower surface of a saddle, strut or base, a corner surface of a saddle, strut or base, a mid-portion surface of a saddle, strut or base, or any other suitable location. All commercially suitable types of couplers are also contemplated including magnetic couplers, chemical couplers, fasteners, or other couplers.

In the example shown, the base 250 is configured to receive a culet of the gem. However, the base can be sized and dimensioned to receive any portion of at least one of a gem and frame, including for example, a vertex or an edge.

FIG. 3 provides a detailed view of how edge struts (e.g., 340, 341) can couple with vertex saddles (e.g., 330, 331). In the embodiment shown, strut 341 comprises a protrusion 364 that is configured to fit with coupler 360 of saddle 331. Further, each edge strut can comprise one or more couplers configured to couple with one or more couplers of a different edge strut. In the embodiment shown, strut 340 comprises coupler 362, which is configured to press fit or snap fit with couplers 361 and 362 of strut 341.

FIGS. 4A and 4B present two views of an edge strut 440. Note the edge strut comprises a single-pronged mechanical coupler 462 on one side that can couple with the two-pronged coupler 461 (that could also be considered two separate couplers) on the second side. Further, the struts include couplers (e.g., 464) that can releasably mate with the vertex saddles. Also note the struts can comprise an edge trough channel 480 that is configured to cover a portion of a gem's edges, which further reduces the risk or chipping or other type of gem damage. The edge struts or vertex saddles can be formed from any desirable material including injection molded plastic, metal, wood, die cast, ceramic, stone, rubber, or other suitable material or materials.

FIGS. 5A and 5B present more detailed views of a vertex saddle 530. It is contemplated that a saddle can include at least one opening 531 capable of receiving a vertex or any other suitable portion of a gem. Saddle 530 also comprises various couplers (e.g., 560, 566, 567, 568), which are configured to allow a coupling of saddle 530 with a strut, a base, or even another strut.

One should appreciate the disclosed modular jewelry frame allows multiple completed frames to join together to create more complex geometries. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates frames 610, 611, 612 and 613 joined together to form jewelry item having four frames coupled 600. Further, FIG. 7 illustrates frames 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, and 717 joined together to form jewelry item having eight frames coupled 700.

In some embodiments, the crystal or gem can include one or more additional features. For example, the gem can be cut or manufactured to have a preferred axis, possibly based on an index of refraction, crystal lattice, polarization, or other features related to the material of the gem. The gem can include an indication (e.g., a marking, dot, indicia, etc.), which informs a user where the preferred axis or pole is relative other orientations. Further, crystals can include additional indicia possibly including a serial number, a name, a manufacturer, a logo, an orientation relative to a parent crystal, a location relative to a parent crystal block from which the crystal was cut, or other information.

Jewelry of the inventive subject matter can comprise any suitable number of frames, struts, saddles, couplers, and bases. For example, jewelry can comprise: 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, or even 20 or more frames; 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 or even 50 or more struts; 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 or even 50 or more saddles; 0, 1, 15, 20, 35, or even 100 or more couples; and 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, or even 20 or more bases.

FIG. 8 shows another aspect of the inventive subject matter comprising a jewelry box 800 configured to house at least one of the contemplated crystals or modular frames. In some embodiments, the jewelry box 800 can comprises a lid 820 and bottom 810, one or both of which can be covered partially or completely with a conductive material (e.g., copper, silver, etc.). For example, the conductive material can cover the entire exterior surfaces of the lid 820 and bottom 810.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the box 800 could be covered in conductive plates or a conductive mesh. When the box 800 is closed, the box 800 can form a Faraday shield around the contents of the box. Still further, the box 800 can include or be coupled to one or more circuits (e.g., 830) configured to detect electromagnetic signal(s) from the Faraday shield. The signal(s) can be converted to a digital form and communicated over a network 850 or other wired or wireless connection to at least one local or remote computing device (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc.). It is considered advantageous to offer crystal owners a box that can shield the crystal from ambient signals or allow owners to observe signals originating from their box, possibly on their cell phone via a wired or wireless connection.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular jewelry frame comprising: at least one vertex saddle having an opening configured to receive a vertex of a gem; and at least one edge strut configured to releasably couple with the vertex saddle and cover a portion of an edge of the gem between gem vertices.
 2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertex saddle comprise at least four vertex saddles.
 3. The frame of claim 2, wherein the at least one edge strut comprises at least four edge struts.
 4. The frame of claim 3, wherein the vertex saddles and edge struts couple together to form to a complete frame capable of holding the gem with at least four vertices.
 5. The frame of claim 4, wherein the gem comprises a tetrahedron.
 6. The frame of claim 4, wherein the vertex saddles and edge struts couple together to form to a complete frame capable of holding the gem with at least six vertices.
 7. The frame of claim 6, wherein the gem comprises a cube.
 8. The frame of claim 6, wherein the vertex saddles and edge struts couple together to form to a complete frame capable of holding the gem with at least eight vertices.
 9. The frame of claim 8, wherein the gem comprises an octahedron.
 10. The frame of claim 1, wherein the at least one edge strut comprises a mechanical coupler configured to couple with a second mechanical coupler.
 11. The frame of claim 10, further comprising a base comprising the second mechanical coupler.
 12. The frame of claim 10, further comprising at least a second edge strut comprising the second mechanical coupler.
 13. The frame of claim 10, further comprising a second complete frame, wherein the second complete frame comprises the second mechanical coupler, and wherein the vertex saddles and edge struts couple together to form to a first complete frame configured to couple with the second complete frame via the mechanical couplers.
 14. The frame of claim 13, wherein the first and second frames couple via the mechanical couplers of their edge struts.
 15. A jewelry box comprising: a lid covered in a conductive material; a bottom covered in the conductive material; and wherein when closed the lid electrically couples to the bottom and forms a faraday shield around contents housed inside a cavity formed by the closed lid and bottom.
 16. The box of claim 15, wherein the conductive material comprises at least one of a copper, a silver, and a wire mesh.
 17. The box of claim 15, further comprising a signal detection circuit configured to detect an electromagnetic signal from the conductive material.
 18. The box of claim 17, further a comprising a communication module coupled with the signal detection circuit and configured to communicate with a computing device via a communication connection.
 19. The box of claim 18, where the connection comprises at least one of the following: a wired connection, a wireless connection, an optical connection, a USB connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection, a FireWire connection, a serial connection, and a parallel connection.
 20. The box of claim 18, wherein the computing device comprises a cell phone. 